Veloce Aperion: The Story Behind the 280 hp Eight-Cylinder Two-Stroke

• Eight-cylinder two-stroke in X-configuration, 1,000 cc, claimed 280 hp (206 kW) at 12,000 rpm
• Laser-sintered exhaust expansion chambers, powertrain unit weighing 105 kg (231 lbs)
• Limited to 24 units, priced at 78,000 pounds (approximately 90,500 euros / 102,700 US dollars), available from 2027

A brand-new two-stroke motorcycle is a rarity today. Large-scale production of lightweight, high-revving two-strokes is largely a thing of the past, with only individual small-series manufacturers like Langen keeping the technology alive. Now the Oxfordshire-based company Veloce is entering this niche, having unveiled the Aperion for the first time at the Bike Shed Moto Show in London. The machine joins a series of unusual motorcycle debuts that deliberately set themselves apart from the established four-stroke mainstream.

What Is the Veloce Aperion?

The Veloce Aperion is a naked bike powered by a newly developed eight-cylinder two-stroke engine. According to the company, the example shown at the show was a non-running display model, while a ride-ready prototype is said to be located at the company’s own development center in Carmarthenshire, Wales.

Veloce Automotive Ltd is based in Oxfordshire, England, with powertrains and motorcycles developed at the company’s own dynamometer facility and test track in Wales. The company describes the Aperion as a combination of emotional riding experience and performance. Behind the unusual concept lies the ambition to achieve the highest possible power output with low weight and a compact form factor.

20 % Rabatt mit Code MN20

How Does the Eight-Cylinder Two-Stroke Engine Work?

The engine consists of eight cylinders based on the Aprilia RS 125, arranged in two V4 banks around a central gearbox housing to form an X-shape. Each bank is CNC-machined from solid material in four sections and carries two crankshafts that drive a common intermediate shaft, which in turn powers the clutch and gearbox.

The cylinders feature forged pistons, supplemented by tuning components from Mitaka. Mixture preparation is handled by eight Dellorto carburetors with 24-millimeter bores, arranged in four pairs. They are operated via a spiral-design throttle grip with eight cables. The engine runs on a mixture of gasoline and two-stroke oil. According to the manufacturer, the powertrain produces 280 hp (206 kW) at 12,000 rpm, which works out to approximately 35 hp per 125 cc cylinder. The powertrain unit is claimed to weigh 105 kg (231 lbs).

Why Is Veloce Building an Eight-Cylinder Two-Stroke?

According to the company, the two-stroke design is a prerequisite for the X-arrangement of the cylinders. Company representative Jack Levy points out that lubrication in this configuration does not prevent the cylinders from firing downward, unlike in a four-stroke engine.

Levy describes the approach: “Two-strokes unlock the X-design: the cylinders can fire downwards because oiling is not a problem.” He identifies balance as a central development goal. The opposing pistons fire simultaneously, canceling out forces. The X-shape also keeps the motorcycle narrow, whereas a V8 or V6 would be considerably wider. According to the manufacturer, combustion, inertia, and rotational forces in the engine largely balance each other out. Levy cites reduced commissioning effort and the appeal of getting eight cylinders running with intake manifolds and carburetors as further arguments.

Chassis and Exhaust: How Is the Aperion Constructed?

The most striking technical feature is the laser-sintered exhaust expansion chambers made from metal powder. They are printed directly from the CAD program, allowing the complex resonance bodies to be packaged compactly with thin, lightweight walls around the engine and frame, eliminating the otherwise typical process of cutting and welding thin sheet metal.

These resonance exhaust systems are critical for power delivery in a two-stroke, as they require precise volumes, lengths, and cone geometries. The chassis uses the engine itself as a stressed member. The front and rear subframes consist of welded steel tubes in a trellis design. At the rear, an aluminum single-sided swingarm actuates a single shock absorber located below the engine via a pull rod. According to the manufacturer, this pull-rod-actuated, low-mounted arrangement benefits both cooling and geometry. A conventional upside-down fork is used at the front, complemented by brakes and wheels in standard specification. The drivetrain and gearbox are designed as an integrated unit with the engine, with a wide-ratio six-speed gearbox and a hydraulic clutch integrated into the gearbox mainshaft.

How Much Does the Veloce Aperion Cost and When Is It Available?

The Veloce Aperion is priced at 78,000 pounds (approximately 90,500 euros / 102,700 US dollars) and is set to be available from 2027. Production is limited to 24 units, with delivery via a British Motor Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) for road use.

Orders are possible from 2027 according to the manufacturer. The MSVA classification means that each vehicle is individually approved for registration in the United Kingdom, a procedure commonly used for very small production runs outside of standard type approval.

What Is the Veloce Ethereal?

Alongside the Aperion, Veloce is announcing a second model called the Ethereal. It features a 500 cc four-cylinder two-stroke in an L-configuration that the manufacturer claims produces 145 hp (107 kW) at 12,000 rpm.

The Ethereal is designed with a stronger focus on low weight and handling. The crankcase weighs 6 kg (13 lbs) according to Veloce. A distinctive feature is the gearbox, in which the input and primary shaft sits behind the output shaft. This allows the output shaft to be positioned between the crankshafts, saving mass and improving mass centralization. For the cooling system, Veloce routes air from the front through channels in the tank to a specially developed radiator beneath the seat, from where it is exhausted rearward. Jack Levy states that the Ethereal will be offered at a lower price and in a slightly higher production quantity. Production is limited to 48 units, and reservations are possible.

Frequently Asked Questions